Sterilization Technician

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sterilization Technician (ST) is a key member of the dental department and will organize and maintain dental instruments in working areas in strict accordance with sterilization/disinfection protocols. The ST will perform clinic infection control procedures, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray and setup of materials. This position will be required to travel between all dental sites.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Care and Team Support

• Perform all duties with excellence and in accordance with the Oregon Dental Association.
• Properly sterilize all dental instruments and equipment in accordance with organization policy.
• Perform all opening, closing and maintenance procedures as described in sterilization and maintenance policies, as well as other duties as delegated by Dental Program Manager or designee.
• Maintain instruments and working areas in strict accordance with sterilization/ disinfection protocols.
• Restock and maintain an inventory of dental supplies and instruments to assure a constant level is always available, coordinate supply orders with Dental Program Manager.
• Maintain order and cleanliness in the dental lab and in the sterilization area.
• Perform weekly spore testing and maintain a log of the results.
• Perform weekly and monthly maintenance of autoclave.
• Perform required laboratory procedures.
• Maintain proper pre-set trays and ensure readiness for anticipated procedures. Proactively review notes in patients’ charts to set up for the planned treatment, ensuring all necessary materials and instruments needed assuring it is as aseptic as possible for patient and staff safety.
• Maintain in/out logs for the dental laboratory orders in a manner that assures completeness and accuracy. Perform all maintenance procedures and logs in a thorough manner.
• Work with the Patient Service Representatives (PSRs) to ensure that all dental laboratory orders are sent out and received in a timely manner.
• Support patient flow including restocking items, cleaning patient care space between patients, seating patients, and supporting other dental team members in patient care as needed.
• Enter patient data and chart information into electronic health record system in a manner that ensures accuracy, completeness and is done timely.
• Maintain dental equipment per manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Engage in outreach and off-site dental treatment services as needed.
• Annual support of review and update as needed of sterile process policies.
• Support education and competency review of all individuals (system) performing sterilization tasks and management of sterile instruments.

SUPPORTING JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend meetings, team huddles and assigned trainings.
• Address in a timely manner, correspondence which includes but is not limited to Outlook, EHR encounters, in-basket, etc.
• Utilize resources to remain informed of organizational communication (i.e. Mosaic Share, organization newsletter, etc.)
• Comply with all policies, procedures, guidelines, and workflows.
• Perform safe work practices to protect the health and safety of employees and patients per OSHA regulation.
• Protect individually identifiable health information per HIPAA regulation.
• Proper and timely documentation in EMR.
• Complete all required compliance training within the established timeline.
• Utilize the incident reporting system as needed.

COMPETENCIES:

Accountability:  Takes ownership for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development; openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad; has an ability to identify strengths and developmental opportunities and leverages insight to make adjustments to improve their effectiveness; courage to have the difficult conversation.

Adapting to Change:  Accepts and adapts to change in a professionally appropriate and thoughtful manner.  Is willing to offer a different perspective or approach and yet knows when and how to stand down graciously and accept a well-thought-out decision. Embraces change.

Championing Customer Needs:  Provides timely and professional service to both internal and external customers; is responsive to customer needs and requests; is always courteous to the customer and considers the needs of the customer when making decisions.

Communicating Effectively:  Shares information. Listens and involves others. Clearly conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message.

Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere;

Decision Making/Judgment:  Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively; involves others as needed; uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, customers, their team, and the organization; conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues; makes timely decisions.

Delivering High Quality Work:  Makes sure responsibilities central to the role meet all requirements and expectations. Finishes tasks promptly and critically reviews work to ensure quality and accuracy. Considers impact of work to others and takes steps to mitigate. Seeks additional work after finishing tasks.

Demonstrating Initiative: Acts on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked.

Results Orientation:  Is focused on outcomes and accomplishments; follows through on commitments; can be counted upon to successfully execute on goals;  motivated by achievement and a need for closure; has an attention to detail and is both efficient and effective in achieving a high level of measureable outcomes;  persists in achieving goals despite obstacles.

Supporting Mosaic Mission:  Actively supports Mosaic’s mission and values; uses individual skills to add value to the mission of improving “the health and well-being of the individuals, families and communities”; aligns actions around organizational goals; gives priority to organizational mission and value when making decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Work Experience:  Two years of experience in sterile processing, health care materials management, operatory space, and/or patient care preferred.

Education, certification and licensure:  A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Must be able to acquire CPR certification within six months of hire. Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Certification from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management or SPD Technician Certification from CBSOD required.

Skills & Knowledge:  Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, be customer service oriented, and have ability to interact with a diverse patient population in a professional manner. Must be detail-oriented, have ability to multi-task and work independently. Basic to intermediate experience in computer applications, specifically electronic medical records system and MS Office a must.